Did you know that $667 million in the United States has been lost to imposter scams?
Recently, East River FCU has uncovered imposter scams that have affected those in our membership. Imposter scams are people who pretend to be calling from the government, a well-known business, a family member or even a romantic interest. They tend to ask for payment by wire transfer or gift card.
Anyone can be a victim of these imposter scams, so it’s not only important that YOU know this information but your family and friends as well. Rather than saying just “be careful” to them, offer targeted tips about these scams:
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If the caller insists on payment by a wire transfer, gift card or pre-paid debit card, it’s a scam.
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Never give your credit card information to someone that calls you out of the blue.
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Scammers also make fake dating profiles, so don’t send money to an online love interest.
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Call the person, the government agency or someone you trust before you wire or send any money to anyone.
There are tons of imposter scams out there, so spread the word to family and friends. According to the FTC, scammers are more likely to strike older consumers, but this group is the least likely to report scams. If you have older family member or friends, sit down and talk with them about these targeted tips. The FTC offers additional information on how to spot fraudsters and what to do if you have experienced a fraud: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it